The National tribune., 1887-05-26
THE GRAND ARMY.
News From the DepartmentS---New
Posts. ETC.
HEADQUARTERS BULLETIN.
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, GAR,
MADISON, WIS.,, May 20 1887

IT Is noticed that some comrade in the State
OF Indiana has recently been claiming that the
Order originated in that State, rs published in
an Indiana Grand Army paper, to the effect
that some time in August, 1866, the first Post
OF the Grand Army was formed IN Indiana. If
the statement OF the comrade were true he
would still be in error, as the following facts
show that the first Post of the Grand Army of
the Republic ever organized was on the 9th day
of April, 1866, IN the village of Decatur, Macon
Co.. State Of Illinois
The charter, containing the names of the
charter members of this Post, is given below,
with the certainty that il will interest all CON-
rades of the Order. il is in these words:
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC,
DEPARTMENT or ILLINOIS /
10 al srhOn II may concern-Grooting;
Know yc that the Commander OF the Department
OF Illinois reposing special trust and confidence IN
the patriotism aud fidelity of NJ n. kanan, @. II.
Steele Geo n. Dunning, J. G. pugh, J. H. Male. j.
" Routh, b. h. Shley, J. n. Collin. Joseph Prior,
O. A. Toland, does. by the authority IN him vested
empower and constitute them charter members OF
an lsncampment meaning POST OF tllc Grand Army
OF the Republic, 10 be known as Post NO. 1, Of
Decatur. District of Macon. Department OF Illinois,
and they are hereby constituted as said Post, and
authorized 10 make by aws Tor the government OF
said Post, and 10 do and perform all acts necessary
90 conduct and carry on said organization IN ao-
oordanoe with the Constitution OF the Grand Army
Done al Springfield, III, this 9th day of April,
1866. B. r. STEPHENSON,
RonERT WooDs Adjulani- General.
Recorded IN Book A, Page 3.
Six OF these charter members yet survive.
Mai Steele. Of Decatur, has the original charter
hanging ia his parlor, and the papers, yellow
with age are still in his custody These men
are proud Of the distinguished honors they en-
joy Of having been the originators Of such a
grand association. While much credit has been
given TO DR. Stephenson as the founder of the
Order, these men too arc worthy of being
amongst the founders Of the GAR, one Of the
greatest organizations known in modern days
One of their members Capt. Bishop writes,
Your action was Just right in drawing up the
memorial and it should have been done years
ago. The Department Of Illinois should in
justice place il upon the records and then ask
the National Encampment TO do the same"
NATL HEADcs, GRAND ARMY OF THE RErUBEIc.o
MADISON Wis, May 20, 1887
General Orders. No. "a.
meuts the Commander-ine Chief has been careful.
whenever opportunity offered. 10 attend the De-
partment and Corps meetings OF the Moman's Re
lief Corps.
Ho takes this opportunity 10 testify, after much
personal observation, 10 the general diligence, in
telligence and efficiency with which the mombers
OF that most excellent society prosecute the noble
work upon which they have entered.
he cordially c0ngrHtulates those noble women
who have been aud at this time the chosen lead
ers in this beneiceni work upon the fact that the
greatest success continues 20 attend their efforts.
Words cannot express the great value which the
members OF the GAR. place upon The loving
efforts Of ali loyal women to aid Ia relieving those
veterans, their widows aud orphans, who have
fallen into sorrow, distress or sickness.
1T. The Order of the Sons Of Veterans u deserving
special consideration. Young men, sons Of those
who freely offered gave their lives for country,
nationality aud liberty, eonsociated Ia an organiz-
t0n known aud respected throughout the land,
with view TO render tle declining years OF the
members Of our Order more enjoyable and manly
and fliR purpose 20 assist the widows and orphans
Df tie of the OF thDl-3 deserve the
Tighl-hand II fellowship from every member Of the
GAR. and words OF cheer by every Post and De-
When these young men are uniformed, armed
and drilled as b proposed they will constitute
militia with sentiment added. which should rem
der them the pride Of the whole Nation.
III comFade George W. Hooker, BTattlebOro,
Vi, having rendered his resignation a member
OF the Grant Memorial Committee for the Depart
ment Of Vermont for the reason that be IL 10 be
absent from thc Department. the resignation is
cepted, and Comrade w. q. Neasey, Of Rutland,
VI, y appointed bic successor on that committee.
~. By resolution Of National Enoampment,
june ~, 1879, proposed amendments 10 the Rules
and Regulations or Ritual, " Must be presented 10
tle Ad9uiantAsencfai ln Time 10 furnish each mem
ber Of The coming Encampment copy Rt least 80
caye before the meeting. To receive attention all
proposed changes must be in the hands OF the Ad-
iuiani-1enerRl, - who will have them published
and properly distributed" by the Is, day Of July
next
From journal 10th National Encampment:
" Your committee recommends that Departments
d. instructed 10 request such persons la their urs
olcilons az have actually served in she army navy
o. marine corps Of the Union al any time during
the period mentioned in the Regulations but with
cat muster into such service or discharge there
from, 10 state their cases in writing and forward
the same through the proper channels 10 the Ad-
lutantAteneral, 10 he brought before the next Ma.
tonhl Encampmeni and that the Judge Advocate
Genernlbc requested 10 classify all such cases aud
present - tiat time form Of regulation TO cover
tlie snfne,
TO comply wita the foregoing instructions of the
1Jh National Encampment tsee journal. page 2f2)
a. is requested oi Department Commauders ~ send
tne naines Hnd statement Of the 10 the Adju-
tant-bcucfal al once.
v. Commdea having copies Of General or Spe-
cial Orders issued during tiIe administration of
C0mmaudcrs-in-Chief Stephenson aud Hurlbut
are requested 10 send them 10 these Headquarters
tO complete tie files.
Tie iginals Will lDc returned II desired.
VI 1he following resolution adopted by
tbe 10th National Encampueut:
hesolred That THE Enoanpment approve the
choice VI tie corTs mark adopted by the repre-
Heniaiiycs Of the Thirteenth Corps and that the
Aoliiiiaiiaer-ln- ,ei ne requested 70 publish the
30 numerous aud leighty have been the obIeo-
tions made ~ ihe design OF tbe badge selected At
ban frascisco By members Of the cOTps that il Is
Thought advisable not 10 publish the order
A. the Hiei -ncampmenl there VIII be- a large at
teIdnnce 81 The menbcrr oi this magnificent oorps
commanded in person by Grant, McCernaTd Ord
Dana auo Granger, which fought from Donelson 10
SIC batteries al Blasey and did not close ils spieu.
nred.
llt ADNihhHhef in -Llief calls upon those who
Wi o. al 80. Louis 10 meet on the evening of
Tuesday, sept. y, is1s. at . hall 10 be named aud
determine nnnlls upon suitable CORPS badge
which VIII meet the approval ol tlie corps aud En-
canpmcut.
vi Attention Il again called to the topic fully
discussed ln General Order Mob q. g. from these
headquarters Paragraphs two aud three u that
oflet iulty set forth sac advantage Of address ug
tle Commissioner 81 Pensions Washington ID @
direct, by al c0mrHde1 who desire tie Addresses f
former coupaHlons-in-urfns Post Commanders
are requested % cause those SECTIONS Of that order
w. p rt4a in open Post BY the Adiutant
VII. NE Grand Army ~ the Republic knows
no tech oay a. Decoration Day. such i moi IL
proper designation. lu our Rules aud Ragula-
Lgilt and Ritual a is nnflcd Memorial bay.
Dn That oas we decorate thc graves Of our dead
AZ D. earnestly requested that comrades habtually
uHe thc appropriate name.
IA department Commanders are requested 20
held 10 National Ueadquartcrs, addressed 10 tie
AalniantAcucrhl. copies 81 the journal Of Pro-
eeellllt oi their Department Encampmeuis f1r
~ ikti uiey may bc properly bound Tor preserva-
h9n, ben our Order is e1tlnci these Journals
vii D. turned over 10 che United States Govern
nlenl and preserved for historical purDosos
y. AL railroads have hEcd upon a rate of one
hie ioi the round trip 10 the Enoampm IN 81
Louis. in September.
tDashief
A. ~ CRAY Adutauf- General